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Wednesday Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Wed Dec 30, 2020 at 02:48:25 PM EST
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The last few days of the year are always busy ones, trying to fit everyone in for one last zoom/talk, get one more motion filed, and all the home stuff.

Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    Wednesday Open Thread | 37 comments (37 topical)

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    So it news, I guess (5.00 / 2) (#18)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Dec 30, 2020 at 06:49:11 PM EST
    That the FBI got calls about Warner in 2019.  I read this the day his name was released.  Reportedly his girlfriend said he was making a bomb in his RV.

    The are pointing fingers and blaming others but damn.

    They say they did not have evidence to get a warrant.  With all due respect to the defense lawyers I think the call from the girlfriend should have been enough.

    Also, I'm tired of hearing how amazing it was that the police "knew immediately it was a bomb" and that's amazing.  Probably had to do with the announcement warning that said it was a bomb.

    Police Say They Tried to Contact Nashville Bombing Suspect Anthony Warner After 2019 Warning
    Woman said boyfriend was building bombs in RV, but no evidence of crime found, police say

    So if you don't answer your phone the FBI has no way of knowing if you are making a bomb.

    I wonder if they would have followed up if his name was Yusef.

    They would have broken down (5.00 / 2) (#23)
    by MO Blue on Wed Dec 30, 2020 at 09:24:21 PM EST
    the door with guns blazing if his name was Yusef or if he was anyone with brown or black skin.

    Parent
    In case (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Dec 31, 2020 at 04:46:50 PM EST
    I'm asleep

    AXIOS (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Dec 31, 2020 at 04:55:38 PM EST
    In an extraordinary conference call this morning with fellow Senate Republicans, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said his Jan. 6 vote certifying Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 election will be "the most consequential I have ever cast," according to a source on a call and two other sources briefed on the private remarks.

    The big picture: The conference call came in the wake of Sen. Josh Hawley defying McConnell's wishes and publicly declaring that he'll object to certifying the electoral votes in Pennsylvania and perhaps in other states as well.

    McConnell had previously urged senators not to force this vote, which he believed would put Republicans up for re-election in 2022 in a horrible position -- forcing them to choose between defying the most popular politician in the party, Donald Trump, and undermining democracy.

    His remarks to his conference are likely to escalate President Trump's anger with him for daring acknowledge Trump's defeat.
    Behind the scenes: McConnell said on the call that the Jan. 6 vote is "a vote of conscience," these sources said.

    A source paraphrased McConnell as saying, "I'm finishing 36 years in the Senate and I've cast a lot of big votes." including over war and impeachment.
    "And in my view, just my view," McConnell said, "this is will be the most consequential I have ever cast."

    Between the lines: Many Republican senators are furious at Hawley for forcing them to take what Trump is setting up as the ultimate loyalty test on January 6th.

    link

    No joy in Mudville (none / 0) (#29)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Dec 31, 2020 at 06:09:19 PM EST
    "Vice President Pence late Thursday asked for a lawsuit that aimed to expand his power to use a congressional ceremony to overturn the presidential election be rejected, arguing that he was not the right person to sue over the issue," the Washington Post reports.

    "The filing will come as a disappointment to supporters of President Trump, who hoped that Pence would choose to set aside some of President-elect Joe Biden's electoral college votes when Congress meets next week to certify the November election."



    Parent
    As I wrote a week ago (none / 0) (#32)
    by Peter G on Thu Dec 31, 2020 at 09:33:54 PM EST
    because this stupid lawsuit was not filed against Pence personally, but only against the Vice President "in his official capacity," the choice of how to respond lay not with him but with the DoJ, and in particular the Acting Solicitor General and Acting Attorney General. So opposition to the suit is actually an indication of the official position of this Administration. That is even more remarkable than if it were an indication of Pence's position.

    Parent
    Case dismissed by Tr*mp-appointed (none / 0) (#35)
    by Peter G on Fri Jan 01, 2021 at 09:34:45 PM EST
    district judge, for lack of "standing" by plaintiffs and lack of genuine adversity between the parties. (Pence is not doing, has not done, and is not threatening to do Gohmert et al. any legally cognizable harm.) Of course, Gohmert could still appeal to the notoriously reactionary U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. But I doubt even they will buy this particularly steaming crock.

    Parent
    I wish (none / 0) (#30)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Dec 31, 2020 at 06:47:41 PM EST
    this would totally blow up the GOP but I know it won't.

    The only good I can see coming out of all this is they are putting a lot of nails in the coffin of the electoral college. This is yet one more example of why it must be gotten rid of.

    Parent

    Cheers.... Happy New Year (5.00 / 2) (#33)
    by desertswine on Thu Dec 31, 2020 at 10:27:46 PM EST
    Remember to breathe.

    And Good Riddance to 2020.

    A federal district judge (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jan 01, 2021 at 09:15:40 PM EST
    in Texas (nominated by Trump) has dismissed the case brought by Rep. Louie Gohmert to, essentially, re-interpret the role of the Vice President in the Congressional tally and certification of the presidential election.   Gohmert et. al were determined not to have standing.  

    Bad (none / 0) (#1)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Dec 30, 2020 at 03:16:09 PM EST
    "The United States flew strategic bombers over the Persian Gulf on Wednesday for the second time this month, a show of force meant to deter Iran from attacking American or allied targets in the Middle East," the AP reports.

    --

    "The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency alerted Congress Tuesday about plans for a $290 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia that would include 3,000 precision guided munitions," Axios reports.

    "The State Department's approval of the potential deal in the Trump administration's final weeks comes despite President-elect Joe Biden vowing during his election campaign to end weapons sales to the Saudis."
    Just a Thought... (none / 0) (#2)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Dec 30, 2020 at 03:37:24 PM EST
    Maybe Biden should zip it until the 20th.

    Parent
    Or maybe he should say (5.00 / 2) (#3)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Dec 30, 2020 at 03:41:40 PM EST
    "Under no circumstances can Trump be allowed drink bleach"

    Parent
    But seriously (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Dec 30, 2020 at 03:44:53 PM EST
    Trump Could Still Start a Last-Ditch War With Iran
    A final grand distraction before the president is forced to relinquish his office is a real danger that deserves serious attention.

    I believe if he can he will.

    Parent

    But Then He'll Have to Stop... (none / 0) (#5)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Dec 30, 2020 at 04:14:41 PM EST
    ...calling himself the Price of Peace and pretending he won the Nobel Peace Prize.  Apparently that propaganda video you posted has a Nobel Peace Prize overlaying the Führer on the balcony.
    ...when the Norwegian Nobel Committee found that an unknown American had twice pretended to be a qualified nominator and put Trump up for the award for his "ideology of peace through force." In 2019, the White House also reportedly asked former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe to nominate Trump for the award. And in 2020, a similar ploy to appease our image-obsessed executive took place when a far-right member of the Norwegian Parliament nominated Trump. Never a close reader, Trump misconstrued the development earlier this year, complaining that the "fake news never even" covered his two Nobel wins -- which do not exist.

    But the real mind bender is can it be Fake News if it didn't happen and wasn't reported ?

    Parent

    And, true to form, (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by KeysDan on Wed Dec 30, 2020 at 05:03:04 PM EST
    Trump could not even get his deceptions right.  The image photoshopped was not that of the Nobel Peace Prize, but rather, that of the Nobel Prize in the sciences---physics, chemistry.

    Parent
    An unusual move (none / 0) (#20)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Dec 30, 2020 at 08:29:03 PM EST

    "President Trump is expected to return to Washington earlier than anticipated ahead of a planned disruption by Republicans when Congress meets next week to certify President-elect Joe Biden's win," CNN reports.

    "Trump is now slated to leave Palm Beach before his annual New Year's Eve party, even though guests had already gathered at his south Florida club and were told Trump would be in attendance... The President typically relishes appearing on the red carpet in front of the press and his friends, but is skipping the event altogether this year in what will be an unusual move."



    Parent
    Possibly, (none / 0) (#21)
    by KeysDan on Wed Dec 30, 2020 at 08:57:51 PM EST
    Trump's mania will not allow him to be at the Mar-a-lago New Year's bash.   Auld Lang Syne---recalling the old days-- will be too much.  Bringing in the new year and ushering him out is no time for a loser to celebrate.

    Or, he wants to get back to DC to orchestrate the coup.  But, if so, he could stay in Florida another day or so.

    Parent

    Or he wants to be there (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Dec 30, 2020 at 09:05:26 PM EST
    For the attack on Iran.

    Parent
    IMO (none / 0) (#24)
    by MO Blue on Wed Dec 30, 2020 at 09:33:59 PM EST
    he is going back to orchestrate the coup. Of course, it is possible that he believes if he starts a war with Iran it will give him the justification of declaring Marshal Law and overturning the election. With him anything is possible and his rationale need not be lawful or sane.

    Parent
    Yes, (5.00 / 3) (#36)
    by KeysDan on Sun Jan 03, 2021 at 02:08:09 PM EST
    it was Door #2,  return to orchestrate the coup.  The recorded call that Trump made to the Georgia Secretary of State sounds like a criminal attempt to intimidate the Secretary to "find" enough votes to overturn the Georgia election results,  Trump ,on he hour's long call obtained by WaPo, threatens the Georgia election official, who pushes back at Trump for his lies.

    Trump should be impeached tomorrow, once again, even if the senate, once again, lets him skate.  The Secretary of State not only recorded the call, bout his legal counsel was on the line.

    On Jan 6,the Democrats should use their time to play the audio,  nothing else needs to be said.

    Parent

    I just called Speaker Pelosi (5.00 / 2) (#37)
    by leap on Sun Jan 03, 2021 at 06:37:59 PM EST
    and my Congresswoman, telling them to start impeachment proceedings tomorrow morning, if not tonight. Dogdammit, this crook has gotten away with so much over the last four years, but here this is, on audio, the full hour+, of how Trump does business. It's so outrageous.

    Parent
    Last Post, But a Good One (none / 0) (#6)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Dec 30, 2020 at 04:27:00 PM EST
    42-Year-Old Man Wins Lawsuit Against Parents Who Threw Away His `Large Collection' of Porn

    This story answers the age old question, how much is 12 boxes of porn really worth.

    I really wish I was one of those Social Media Influencers because I would love to start awarding people who go out of their way to be cruel and vindictive a Darwin like fake award in which I would call a Trumpy.  

    This guy would get the very first Trumpy.

    Interestingly enough, when I Google Trumpy, the Urban Dictionary states:

    Adjective - resembling the 45th president of the United States physically, emotionally, and/or psychologically.
    Damn, that dude's got Trumpy hair.
    Stephanie is like totally acting Trumpy today.

    Trumpy should be a noun as well.

    I (none / 0) (#7)
    by FlJoe on Wed Dec 30, 2020 at 04:49:35 PM EST
    like "tRumpy tantrum".  Example: Today Senator Hawley threw a tRumpy tantrum.

    Parent
    It's a (5.00 / 2) (#9)
    by Zorba on Wed Dec 30, 2020 at 05:02:38 PM EST
    Tantrump.

    Parent
    "Trump card" (none / 0) (#8)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Dec 30, 2020 at 04:56:21 PM EST
    will never mean the same thing

    Parent
    Perhaps (none / 0) (#11)
    by Zorba on Wed Dec 30, 2020 at 05:06:47 PM EST
    the parents could sue him for the cost of his room and board when he lived there, and the cost of the storage of his items.

    Parent
    Long ago (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Dec 30, 2020 at 05:47:11 PM EST
    Between dropping out (of college and everything else) and the rest of my life i worked in the merchant marines.  It was a live in job that meant I didn't really need a place to live so I kept a bedroom in my moms house.

    One trip they did some work on the house which meant my stuff needed to be moved to another bedroom.  "Stuff" meaning a stereo and some posters and a few pairs of jeans and some t shirts.

    I returned to find all my stuff neatly boxed and waiting in the new bedroom.  Including a small box labeled "dirty books".

    Parent

    LOL! (none / 0) (#15)
    by Zorba on Wed Dec 30, 2020 at 05:49:23 PM EST
    Well, at least your mom didn't trash them!

    Parent
    Trumpy IS a noun. (none / 0) (#19)
    by leap on Wed Dec 30, 2020 at 07:04:48 PM EST
    I flush one down the terlit every morning. 🚽

    Parent
    The Zapruder film (none / 0) (#12)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Dec 30, 2020 at 05:41:35 PM EST
    of the Trump era

    Frankly, (none / 0) (#13)
    by Zorba on Wed Dec 30, 2020 at 05:47:11 PM EST
    I'm surprised he could read it.

    Parent
    Its Funny That the Crowd & Trump... (none / 0) (#25)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Dec 31, 2020 at 12:12:32 AM EST
    ...pretend that they once embraced foreigners, but got burned and that is why they hate them.

    Parent
    100 (none / 0) (#16)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Dec 30, 2020 at 06:09:48 PM EST
    Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) told The Bulwark he thinks as many as 100 Republicans could challenge the Electoral College results when Congress convenes to count the votes on Jan. 6.

    The Hill lists those Republicans who have already said they will challenge the electoral tally.

    link

    This will just (none / 0) (#17)
    by KeysDan on Wed Dec 30, 2020 at 06:25:18 PM EST
    make light of their efforts bringing along scorn for any Republican senators that pair up with them.

    Parent
    Notable Trump Books of 2020 (none / 0) (#26)
    by RickyJim on Thu Dec 31, 2020 at 02:29:52 PM EST
    Link
    Best book that doesn't mention Trump until the end: "A Promised Land" by Barack Obama. During the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill crisis, Obama reports, Trump called to suggest that he be put in charge of plugging the well to stop the leak. Told that the well was almost sealed, he offered instead to build "a beautiful ballroom" on the White House grounds. Obama declined. A few months later, Trump started tweeting that Obama had been born in Kenya. Maybe Obama should have said yes to that ballroom offer.
    Happy New Year, everyone. (none / 0) (#31)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Dec 31, 2020 at 08:57:03 PM EST
    2020 was a tough year but hey, we survived and that should count for something.

    Stay safe, and we'll rebound in 2021.

    Aloha.

    Wednesday Open Thread | 37 comments (37 topical)

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